SALT LAKE CITY — A May 12 trial date has been set for the Bountiful man accused of setting fire to an apartment complex under construction in Salt Lake City last month.

Dustin Bowman, 34, pleaded not guilty to one count of arson in federal court on Thursday.

Bowman is charged with intentionally setting a fire that destroyed a $6 million apartment complex under construction at 550 E. 500 South, in Salt Lake City on Feb. 9.

An electrician, Bowman was employed by a contractor working on the complex.

Bowman allegedly admitted to investigators that he smoked spice then entered the apartment complex and lit some cardboard on fire and tossed it against a boxed bathtub leaning against a wooden wall. He allegedly said he “wanted to see the fire department,” according according to the federal complaint.

He was arrested on Feb. 14. On Feb. 24, a federal magistrate ordered that Bowman remain in jail until his trial because of his alleged substance abuse and mental health issues.

If convicted, Bowman faces a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison with a five-year mandatory minimum.